PLANS have been unveiled for 300 new homes, which the developer insists will bring “economic, social and environmental benefits” reports the Local Democracy Reporter.
Developer Woolsington One Limited is proposing the development, which also includes a new community park, allotments, and space for community buildings near Wash Road and Bridge Street in Noak Bridge, Basildon. Half of the homes will be affordable, and the development will include two-, three-, and four-bedroom properties and bungalows.
Phase one of the development will have 100 homes and 197 parking spaces, with one space for one-bedroom properties, two spaces for houses with two or more bedrooms, and then 25 additional visitor spaces.
The site currently consists of farmland, some limited areas of scrubland, and a private airstrip with associated hanger buildings. Plans have been agreed upon for 400 new homes on the land to the south of Wash Road and to the east of Noak Bridge.
The plans state: “The development will make efficient use of the site and will bring about economic, social and environmental benefits to Noak Bridge and the borough. The benefits of the application are substantial, and are considered to be capable of outweighing the definitional harm, and any other harm to the green belt which may be identified, even when such harms are given the required weight.
“The benefits of the application, and the weight that it is considered they should be afforded, are as follows: Provision of 300 housing units to help address acute housing need and lack of housing supply should be given very significant positive weight, provision of 50 per cent affordable housing to help address acute need and lack of supply should be given very significant positive weight.
“The provision of public open space including a publicly accessible community park, orchard, allotment, drainage basins and walking routes should be given moderate positive weight, the creation of modern, energy efficient buildings incorporating renewable energy technologies, the economic, social and environmental benefits contributing to the achievement of sustainable development should be given moderate positive weight.”
